What is Cardura?

Cardura is a medication used to treat high blood pressure and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is in a class of drugs called alpha-blockers. Alpha-blockers work by relaxing muscles in the blood vessels and prostate. This lowers blood pressure and improves urine flow.

How to use Cardura

Cardura is available in tablet form. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. To reduce your risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Cardura side effects

Common side effects of Cardura include:

• dizziness
• lightheadedness
• nausea
• vomiting
• stomach pain
• constipation
• diarrhea
• headache
• drowsiness
• tiredness
• weakness
• decreased blood pressure
• increased heart rate
• swelling of the ankles or feet

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Cardura and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

• chest pain
• irregular heartbeat
• fainting
• numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• hives
• rash
• itching
• hoarseness
• increased urination
• decreased urination
• difficulty urinating

Cardura may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

Cardura drug interactions

Cardura may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. During pregnancy, Cardura should be used only when prescribed. This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Cardura warnings

You should not use Cardura if you are allergic to doxazosin or to other alpha-blockers (prazosin, terazosin), or if you have:

• a history of allergy to this medication
• low blood pressure

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with Cardura. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:

• digoxin;
• other blood pressure medication;
• a diuretic or "water pill";
• asthma or allergies medication;
• cold or allergy medicine that contains a decongestant;
• medication to treat depression or mental illness;
• an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam); or
• medication to treat Parkinson's disease or restless leg syndrome.

To make sure Cardura is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• heart disease or congestive heart failure;
• a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
• angina (chest pain);
• low blood pressure;
• a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome; or
• if you are on dialysis.

Cardura is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether doxazosin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using Cardura.

Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medicine.

What other drugs will affect Cardura?

Other drugs may interact with doxazosin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.